Anne Tichelaar Obituary, Death; – A woman who passed away early Monday morning after a fire engulfed her Middleborough residence has been identified as 90-year-old Anne Tichelaar, as announced by the State Fire Marshal’s Office on Tuesday.
On September 1, Middleborough firefighters were dispatched to 72 Everett St. shortly after 2:50 a.m. following reports of a house fire, according to a press release from the fire marshal’s office. Upon arrival, they encountered significant flames erupting from several windows on the first floor of the two-story, multi-family dwelling.
Firefighters promptly entered the residence to combat the blaze and discovered Tichelaar deceased on the first floor, as reported by the fire marshal’s office. The state Chief Medical Examiner’s Office has been assigned to ascertain the manner and cause of Tichelaar’s death.
No additional injuries from the fire were reported, and three other occupants successfully evacuated the home, as previously stated by the Middleborough Fire Department.
The fire ultimately escalated to a two-alarm response, with firefighters from Raynham, Bridgewater, Lakeville, and Carver arriving to assist in controlling the blaze, according to the fire marshal’s office. Collectively, they managed to extinguish the fire within 30 minutes.
Investigators have thus far concluded that the fire was accidental, ignited by smoking materials in the living room on the first floor, as stated by the fire marshal’s office.
Middleborough Fire Chief Owen Thompson emphasized in the release that smoldering smoking materials are the primary cause of fatal fires in Massachusetts.
“Please, if you smoke or have guests who do, always use a heavy ashtray with water or sand and ensure it is completely extinguished every time,” he advised.
Investigators have also found that the residence lacked functional smoke alarms, according to the fire marshal’s office.
“Working smoke alarms are your first line of defense in an emergency,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine remarked in the release. “Please take a few minutes today to ensure you have them installed on every level of your home.”
The State Fire Marshal’s Office, Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, and other agencies are continuing their investigation.
